Key case



May 17, 1932. c. J. MENSMAN KEY CASE Filed Sept. 18, 1950 Patented May17, 1932 PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES .T. MENSMAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT COLUMBIA KEY CASEApplication filed September 18, 1930. Serial No. 482,864.

This invention relates to improvements in key cases of the flexiblepocket type. A prevalent defect of such cases as heretofore constructedhas been a lack of efiicient means to insure the proper disposition ofcontained keys under all conditions of service. Due to theirflexibility, such cases buckle and bulge with the result that keys workup on their holders and slip from the case.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key case havingmeans to overlie and retain keys in proper position so that keys cannotwork up on their holders.

Another object is the provision of a key case having a relatively stifl'or substantially inflexible element foldable over contained keysindependently of the case closure flaps whereby to restrain undueflexing of the case in service and engaging the keys to prevent slippingof the keys outwardly from the case. Other objects will be apparent fromthe description, to those skilled in the art.

This specification and accompanying drawings describe and illustrate apractical, physical embodiment of my invention, constituting the bestmeans I have thus far de-' vised for reducing the invention to practice.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective of a key case, unfolded, asconstructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the case as folded and closed.

Figure 3 is an elevation of a slightly modified form of case, asunfolded and extended.

Figure 4 is a section centrally through a folded and closed key case.

Figure 5 is a transverse section as on the line 55 of Figure 4.

In detail, the case is formed as a center section, or back 6 of flexiblematerial, usually leather or the like, having integral end closure flaps7 and 8 foldable inwardly thereover along the fold lines 9 and 10, andwhich flaps overlap, being held in closed position by snap fastenerelements 11 and 12.

As in conventional practice, the back portion 6, adjacent one. edge, hassecured thereto an anchor plate13 from which are pivotally suspended theusual series of key hook holders 14 which receive the keys 15.

Along or adjacent this edge the back 6 carries a flexible short flap 16,which may be stitched to the inner face of the back adj aoent the anchorplate as shown in Figure 1, or which may be made integral with the backportion, as shown at 16a in Figure 3. The flap 16 or 16a is made onlylong enough to fold inwardly down over the anchor plate 13 and does notoverlie the keys.

Attached to the free edge of the flap, preferably as by a line ofstitching 17 is a piece 18 ofstiflf or substantially inflexible materialof truncated configuration and which is of a length and width sufiicientto overlie and cover the keys when the flap 16 or 16a as the case may beis folded inwardly of the key case, the length of the piece 18 beingsubstan tially equal that of the back 6. This piece 18, being inherentlyinflexible or substantially so relative to the key case proper,constitutes,

when folded down over the keys, a means by which any possibility of thekeys slipping up in the case to become disengaged therefrom isprevented. V

In practice, the case being open, keys areplaced on the holders 14 andthe flap 16 or 16a is then infolde'd to dispose the member 18 down overthe keys. The end closure flaps '7 and 8 are then folded in over piece18 and secured by the fastener elements 11 and 12.

I am aware that prior to this invention it has been proposed to providestiffening means in key cases, in the form of a reinforcing strip lyingagainst the back portion and underneath the keys. In such constructionsunder bulging' of the closure flaps it is possible for keys to slide upover the stiifening member, especially in-inverted positions of thecase, and work from the case. In the present in; vention, as the member18 overlies the keys- 1 have illustrated and descr bed certain detailsand materials entering into the construction and operation thereof, Idesire it to be understood that the same do not constitute limitations,but that any desired changes and modifications may be made in suchdetails and materials as will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

I claim:

1. In a key case having a flexible back formed with integral closureflaps foldable thereoveruand provided with key holding means on saidback adjacent one edge, a short flexible flap on said back andfoldablefrom said edge inwardly over said key holding means, and arelatively stifl member attached .to the free edge of said short flap tooverlie and retain in the case keys on said holding means when disposedbeneath said closure .flaps.

2. A device of the character described including a flexible key casehaving an open :edge, means for pivotally supporting keys adjacent saidedge sothey may be swung-out when the case is opened, a flexible coverflap for said open edge connected to the case at said edge, and :anelongated relatively stiff member connected to the flap and extendingsubstantially the length of the case.

3. In a key .case having a flexible back, .closureflaps foldablethereover, and key holding means attached to the back adjacent one edge,a flexible, flap on the back foldable along the edge, and asubstantially inflexible extension member connected to .said flexibleflap and substantially covering the key holdingmeans and keys adapted tooverlie {and retain inthe case keys carried by saidholding means whendisposed beneath said closure flaps.

.4. A device ofthe character described including a flexible key casehaving an open edge, means pivotally supporting keys adj acent said edgeso they may be swung out when the case is opened, and a relatively stiffelongated free flap normally overlying the key supporting means and thekeys in the case and hingedly connected adjacent the .open edge of saidcase to swing thereabout.

5. A device of the character described including a flexible key casehaving an open edge, means :for pivotally supporting keys adjacent saidedge so they may be swung out when the case is opened, a :flexible coverflap forsaid open edge connected to the case at .said edge and foldableover the key supporting means, and free swinging substantially rig-idanchoring means connected with-said flap and extending the length of thecase to prevent accidental withdrawal of the cover flap when the case isclosed.

6. A key case having a flexible back with opposed closure flaps on twoside edges foldable thereover and conforming to the shape of the back inclosed posit-ion, means on the back pivotally supporting keys adjacentan open edge so they may be swung out when the case is opened, and arelatively stifi elongated free flap of an area substantially equal tothe back normally overlying the key supporting means and keys in thecase and hingedly connected adjacent said open edge to swing thereabout.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

CHAS. J. MENSMAN.

